Do You Talk to Your Friends On the Phone?

I saw a somewhat hilarious, but also sadly truthful meme the other day (I wish I could find it now) that poked fun at the idea that most millennials would rather walk over fire for a friend than actually pick up the phone and call him or her.

What do you think? Are you awkwardly laughing at this like I did initially?

I have a handful of girlfriends that I talk to regularly on the phone – one daily, a couple weekly, and a handful monthly+ – but I also have a few close friends who I text and Snapchat with almost daily that keeps us securely connected just as well.

There is just something that makes a phone or FaceTime conversation such a natural, healthy pick-me-up though. Just last week one of my closest friends asked if we could spontaneously FaceTime, so we chatted away while I packed lunches, loaded the dishwasher, and rallied the troops for school. I got to see one of her babes and her husband, my girls got to see her, and it was just a great way to start the day.

Many cite the lack of time and mismatched schedules as a reason why catching up on the phone is tough, which I agree with. One’s best shot at catching me for a phone call is around 4 p.m. when I’m folding laundry, prepping dinner, etc. The girls are usually pretty self-contained after school, and it’s a calm hour or so that I can actually have a conversation. Once Jamie gets home though, you’ll rarely find me on the phone.

Something else I love about a good catch-up conversation with a girlfriend: My house is always squeaky clean afterwards. Ha! I love talking on the phone while I’m doing housework because I’m so distracted by our conversation, so it’s a win/win. And you know what? I never, ever regret answering the phone or putting off something else in order to catch up with a friend. I always feel better afterwards. The right girlfriends are so worth investing in, and squeezing in time to chat on the phone for a few minutes (or hours!) is a good way to do it.

Do you keep up with friends on the phone? Or do you find that texting (or something else) keeps you just as connected? Please weigh in! I’d love to hear your thoughts.

PS: I’ve always been fascinated by a story I grew up hearing about my great-grandmother. She was living in Brooklyn during the time period when many were purchasing phones to use in their homes. She absolutely hated the phone because it meant that fewer people were coming outside anymore. Before the phone, neighbors had to come outside or go knock on each others’ doors to say hello, ask a question, etc. The invention of the phone meant fewer in-person conversations, which bothered her. Fast forward 100 years, and I think our society is dealing with a new but similar issue with the invention of social media.

More: 5 Ways to Maintain Long-Distance Friendships & Two Tips for Making “Mom friends”